I really like my HP Spectre x360 13 2-in-1 laptop computer, however there’s one factor that I don’t like about it: the webcam. It’s a 720P digicam that always produces overexposed and grainy photos. It’s not one thing you’d count on from a $1,699.99 laptop computer. However but once more, it’s not distinctive to HP or my laptop computer. Most laptops usually don’t have good webcams whether or not premium or finances.
Now you see, I don’t wish to purchase a separate webcam. I imply, I might, however is it actually value it, when I’ve one thing higher already? I’m speaking about my smartphone. Smartphone digicam high quality has improved by leaps and bounds the place laptop computer webcam high quality has stagnated. For that reason, it is sensible to show a smartphone digicam right into a high-quality webcam. It really works with each Android and iOS gadgets, and it’s tremendous straightforward to arrange.
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Whereas there’s a bunch of apps you’ll be able to select, we’ll go together with Camo Studio, a freemium software program that allows you to use your smartphone as a webcam on your PC or Mac.
Utilizing Camo Studio to show your telephone right into a webcam
First, you could obtain Camo in your telephone and your laptop computer. With that performed, you could join your telephone to your laptop computer utilizing a cable or WiFi. From expertise, I’d suggest utilizing a cable for the very best video high quality and stability. It’s a a lot simpler course of and in addition to, I had a uneven expertise utilizing it wirelessly and whereas not that dangerous, I nonetheless wouldn’t suggest it.
To ensure that a wired connection to work, you could allow Developer Choices in your Android telephone. When you join your telephone, you’ll be able to launch Camo Studio in your laptop computer and choose your telephone because the video supply. You’ll see a dwell preview of your telephone’s digicam in your laptop computer display screen.
You’ll be able to select which digicam to make use of: the front-facing or the rear-facing one. As for me, I want to make use of the rear-facing digicam on my Pixel 6, as a result of it has the next decision and higher optics than the front-facing one.
It’s also possible to alter the decision and body price of your video. The upper the decision, the sharper the picture, but additionally the extra bandwidth it’ll devour. The upper the framerate, the smoother the movement, but additionally the extra CPU energy it’ll use. I normally go for 1080P at 30fps, which is sweet sufficient for many video calls and streams.
It’s also possible to tweak the main target and publicity settings of your digicam. You’ll be able to both let Camo Studio auto-adjust them for you, or you’ll be able to manually set them to your liking. I normally depart them on auto, until I wish to create some creative results with depth of area or lighting.
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One of many cool options of Camo Studio is that it allows you to add overlays to your video. You’ll be able to add textual content, photos, logos, and even animations to boost your video. For instance, you’ll be able to add your title and social media handles, or you’ll be able to add some stickers or emojis to precise your self. You’ll be able to customise the dimensions, place, and opacity of every overlay factor. Contemplating I largely use Camo for conferences, this doesn’t apply to me, however it may for you.
One other function that I like is the framing possibility. You’ll be able to zoom in or out, pan left or proper, rotate or flip your digicam to get the very best angle and composition on your video. It’s also possible to crop your video to suit completely different facet ratios, comparable to 16:9 or 4:3.
Camo Studio additionally presents some picture enhancements and changes, comparable to filters, brightness, distinction, saturation, and extra. You should use them to fine-tune your video high quality and elegance. It’s also possible to save your settings as presets for future use. I would be the first to confess that I hardly ever tinker with these. I want a easy repair for my laptop computer webcam with out going into sophisticated settings. But when a factor or two about tweaking these settings, have at it.

I’ve been utilizing Camo Studio for a few years now and I’m but to see anybody with higher video high quality in my conferences. There’s a plethora of options to make use of, though I don’t use them personally as a result of my conferences are of a extra severe nature. If you wish to unlock all of the options and take away the watermark, you’ll be able to improve to Camo Professional for $39.99 per yr or $4.99 per thirty days.
I’d should say that Camo Studio is a superb various to purchasing a separate webcam, particularly you probably have a high-end smartphone with an important digicam. Camo receives common updates to make sure a clean expertise. I usually use Camo for my Google Meet video calls, however it’s supported by dozens extra apps.
Camo Studio supported apps
Supported Apps | Supported browser-based apps |
---|---|
Zoom | Fb Office |
Meet | Zoom |
GoToMeeting | Discord |
BlueJeans | Microsoft Groups |
OBS Studio | Streamyard |
Streamlabs | Slack |
Twitch | Jitsi |
Twitch Studio | Whereby |
mmhmm | BigBlueButton |
Houseparty | Zoho Assembly |
Descript | MeetButter |
Ecamm Dwell | Flipgrid |
ScreenFlow | Stream.membership |
Capto | vMix |
TGuple | Attend Anyplace |
Remaining Lower Professional | LiveWebinar |
QuickTime Participant | VooV Assembly |
Picture Sales space | Heat Welcome |
Keynote | Vidyard |
iMovie | WeVideo |
Microsoft Groups | Rumevideo |
Snap Digital camera | Airmeet |
Skype | BigMarker |
Skype for Enterprise | mimoLive |
Camtasia | Kino Dwell |
Discord | Be.Dwell |
Webex Groups | Clipchamp |
Slack | |
Display.so | |
Amazon Chime | |
HighFive | |
TeamViewer Assembly | |
Vidrio |
Picture by Jonas Leupe on Unsplash